UP-DOWN DRILL WEEK 5
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
UP-DOWN DRILL WEEK 5
Bob Brookover
Now that the Up-Down Drill is back in the newspaper, you shouldn't have to wait to see it in print. Here's the ups and downs -- mostly downs for the Eagles -- from Washington's 23-17 win today at the Linc.
DOWN
ANDY REID
The head coach said this 2-3 start is his responsibility. It’s his fault, too.
UP
JIM ZORN
The Redskins’ rookie head coach has his team flying high with four straight wins since an opening-night loss to the New York Giants.
UP
JASON CAMPBELL
He might be the best quarterback in the NFC East.
DOWN
DONOVAN MCNABB
He might be the fourth best quarterback in the NFC East.
DOWN
BRIAN WESTBROOK
He returned from an ankle injury, but he was the second best running back on the field and suffered a rib contusion.
UP
The Redskins’ star running back dispelled the notion that you can’t run against the Eagles.
DOWN
DAVID AKERS
Another 50-yarder, another miss.
UP
SHAUN SUISHAM
Meanwhile, the Redskins’ kicker connected on three field goals from beyond 40 yards, including a 50-yarder just before halftime.
DOWN
CORRELL BUCKHALTER
Westbrook returned to the field and Buckhalter returned to the bench. He carried the football just twice the entire game.
UP
DESEAN
When was the last time the Eagles had a rookie this good? The answer may be never, but for some reason the ball was rarely thrown to him after his electrifying punt return put the Eagles up 14-0 in the first quarter.
UP
ANTWAAN RANDLE EL
His career passing stats are 19-for-23 for 264 yards and four touchdowns and that includes the 18-yard TD he threw to Chris Cooley today.
UP
CHRIS COOLEY
Another tight end has a big day against the Eagles. In fact, Cooley, with eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, did even more damage that
DOWN
L.J. SMITH
The Eagles went to him twice early in the game, then just once the rest of the game.
DOWN
STEWART BRADLEY
The Eagles’ linebacker lost coverage on Cooley more than once, including on the touchdown pass from Randle El that put the Redskins ahead in the third quarter.
DOWN
TRENT COLE
The Eagles’ defensive end said during the practice week that Redskins offensive tackle Chris Samuels is the best in the business. Cole did nothing to disprove his own theory.
DOWN
TANK DANIELS
The linebacker’s costly penalty at the end of a Randle El punt return gave the Redskins the ball at the Eagles’ 42 and
The only thing I want to see is the headline "Andy Reid" has been fired. The players have proven that they can play the game. We NEED a coach that UNDERSTANDS the game. A. Reid is the second coming of Mc Millin. 4-12 at best with him running the show. CALL BILL COWHER!!!!— STIII
It's very simple. The Eagles aren't a good team. A good team might lose to Dallas, but not to Chicago and Washington, not the way this team lost. In fact, the Eagles haven't been a good team since 2004. Isn't it fair to blame Andy Reid for that, given that he has run the team without any interference from anyone for those three, now four, unproductive years? And isn't that long enough for him to have proven that he doesn't know how to make the Eagles good again?
Comment removed.- Getting rid of Andy isn’t going to improve our WR ability to catch a ball (excluding Jackson). Getting rid of Andy isn’t going to make our kicker successfully kick a field goal. And it won’t improve McNabb’s accuracy either. The Eagles have the same problems they always have inconsistent players and too predictable game calling. 50% of the good long passes McNabb throws our below average WR can’t handle. We need more WR that are willing to catch a ball it if kills them like Chad Johnson or TJ Houshmandzadeh. These guys will catch a ball knowing full well they’ll be in lights out mode seconds later. Other then Basket and Jackson we have lack luster receivers with no swagger to catch a ball. Other teams would have traded these guys way back. Then McNabb chokes, from puking on the field just a few years ago to his mishandling of the ball passing to Westbrook against Dallas (he’s supposed to be a veteran player). He choked during the Super Bowl, if it weren’t for the defense and yes TO (who I dislike immensely) it would have been a laughable. I’m tired of the nonsense with this team, other teams are getting better while the Eagles can’t even maintain there good qualities. Little things like McNabb’s play fake, and unpredictable game planning would help. Currently even I know what the next play will be, usually it‘s the same as the last unsuccessful play. They got lots of problems; even the Patriots have won more games then the Eagles with a back up inexperienced QB.— epalmer
- Comment removed.
- I agree we need a change--I just don’t understand if two people who have been together for 10 years why is there no chemistry--and another thing is that I'm getting tired of seeing the defense getting fired up on the side line and the offense -just going threw the motions-without a care in the world.— phillyboymike7
